Site-Specific Factor 17

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) and Method of Detection

Notes

**Note 1:** Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are isolated tumor cells (ITCs) found in the blood distant from the breast. **Note 2:** Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) are two components of a laboratory process for identifying very small amounts of tumor cells in tissue. In the IMS process, paramagnetic beads coated with antibodies bind to antigens on tumor cells, which are removed and concentrated by being passed through a magnetic field. RT-PCR is then used to amplify the genetic material to a detectable level. **Note 3:** Code the results to the test type as expressed in the medical record. Give priority to "IMS" if the report uses both expressions for test type.

Default

988

NAACCR Item

NAACCR #2871
Code Description
010 Positive, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test
020 Positive, immunomagnetic separation (IMS) test
030 Positive, other test type
040 Positive, unknown test type
110 Negative/normal, RT-PCR test
120 Negative/normal, IMS test
130 Negative/normal, other test type
140 Negative/normal, unknown test type
210 Borderline; equivocal; indeterminate; undetermined if positive or negative, RT-PCR test
220 Borderline; equivocal; indeterminate; undetermined if positive or negative, IMS test
230 Borderline; equivocal; indeterminate; undetermined if positive or negative, other test type
240 Borderline equivocal; indeterminate; undetermined if positive or negative, unknown test type
988 Not applicable: Information not collected for this case
997 Test ordered, results not in chart
998 Test not done (test not ordered and not performed)
999 Unknown or no information
Not documented in patient record